Ruth is feeling better...

Ruth has been having some pain and irritation from a bladder or kidney infection of some kind. Like most women, she's had these before at times. Not fun, and they're even less fun when you're traveling. So yesterday we decided we had better do something about it and get some antibiotics.

One of the girls at the hostel had some with her and gave some to Ruth to get treatment started before we went in to town.

We also needed some food. Breakfast is included here at El Mocambo Hostel, but we're a 15 minute walk from the village of Boquia where there are some restaurants and very small shops. Or, we're a 45 minute hike to the bigger town of Salento. Or, we can walk 10 minutes and wait for the every half hour or so bus to Salento.

It was about 12:30pm when Ruth decided some pain killers had kicked in enough that she felt well enough to walk into Boquia.

The Quindio River where it goes through the village of Boquia.

And in the opposite direction.

As we entered the village, we saw a restaurant on the opposite side of the road. Really friendly owners, and they were helpful in answering some questions about the area. We noticed after the fact that they have rooms available so we may go back today and ask about that. 

Ruth, in the rustic restaurant.

Lunch!

Ruth felt well enough for a bowl of cream of vegetable soup and a mango juice, while I had an arepaburguer...essentially a hamburger on top of a corn arepa...and a beer. Total bill, 17,500 pesos ($8.55 CAD).

We asked the lady where the bus stops, and she showed us where, right across the street. She told us it would cost 1,000 pesos ($0.49 CAD) for the 3 km bus ride into Salento "and don't pay a peso more!" was her advice.

RV Park??

As we looked back at the restaurant, we saw this place offering accommodation. And notice the blue sign? RV Park?? That's the first indication of any type of RV camping that we have seen since we arrived in Colombia. And we're not sure if that property is associated with the restaurant we had just been in or not. We'll go back today and do some investigation.

The bus came along shortly, and sure enough it was 1,000 pesos ($0.49 CAD). We were dropped off in town and off we went looking for the drogueria (drug store, pharmacy).

You don't need to see a doctor in Colombia to get antibiotics. You simply tell the pharmacist what problem you are having, and the pharmacist decides what is the best antibiotic. Sure enough, he gave the exact same one that the girl in the hostel had given to Ruth, but in a larger dosage. I had done some research ahead of time and this is what is commonly prescribed for this problem.

Also, they only sell you enough pills for the treatment that is necessary. Cost? 8,000 pesos ($3.92 CAD). Don't get me started about health care costs.

Only problem now is that it will still be a day or two before they kick in enough to solve the problem!

We then went and did some grocery shopping. The hostel has a meal program and we did take advantage of dinner the first night because we weren't prepared. But it's 15,000 pesos ($7.35 CAD) for the vegetarian option, or 22,000 pesos ($10.78 CAD) for a meat option. We had the vegetarian, and it was good. But it's expensive for Colombia, so we're not doing it again.

The main plaza in Salento.

Apparently this place is a zoo on weekends.

We absolutely love the countryside walking back to the farm hostel.

One of the horses helping keep the grass cut at the hostel.

Ruth says she's feeling a little better this morning, so we're hoping to do an easy two hour hike to a waterfall. And we'll check out that RV Park along the way!

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A Canon Laser Printer on today's deal of the day...great price...never been this cheap!

Canon imageCLASS D530 Monochrome Laser Printer with Scanner and Copier